Kayaking uses the same muscles as canoeing, the arms are kept straight and the power comes from the upper legs and lower back. The paddle is anchored in the water and the kayak is pulled to the paddle.Liam demon- strates the low angle stroke used by most recreational paddlers at the left, the paddle shaft is held closer to the water and usually a longer paddle is used. In the photo at the right he shows the more aggressive high angle stroke. The high angle stroke follows the keel line of the kayak and it propels the kayak in a straighter line. This stroke uses a slightly shorter paddle, requires more energy but moves the kayak much faster.This page is meant to help you to properly propel a canoe or kayak in a straight line. There are many strokes to turn a canoe or kayak, draws, rudders, pries; the best way to learn those is by taking a class, getting out paddling with a club or find a quiet section of water and practice, practice, practice. After over 30 years of paddling, I can still learn new tricks. That's what is fun about paddlin'